For buyers, buying agents or sellers, a Certified

Pre-Owned Home from RE/MAX Advantage

Realty offers a win-win situation, making the

buying and selling of a home a lot less

stressful for all parties.

SPRINGSHOMEANDSTYLE.COM: Classified Advertising Director: Michelle Ackerman, 476-1645, michelle.ackerman@gazette.com • Copyright 2009 The Gazette All real estate advertisements in this newspaper for the sale, rental, financing, appraisal and insurance of residential properties are subject to the Fair Housing Act, which generally makes it unlawful to make or publish any advertisement that indicates any preference, limitation or discrimination

based on race, color, religion, handicap or family status. This newspaper will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate which is in violation of the law. Our readers are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised in this newspaper are available on an equal opportunity basis.

Pre-Owned Home from RE/MAX Advantage

For buyers, buying agents or sellers, a Certified

‘certified pre-owned homes’ reduce riskBY PAM HOSKINS n SPECIAL TO SPRINGSHOMEANDSTYLE.COM

profile: re/MAX ADVANTAGe reAlTYshs

Everyone has probably heard of certified pre-owned cars — used cars that have been treated gently, well-maintained and undergone rigorous testing to earn that moniker. They often carry with them warranties you don’t normally find on a used vehicle. Imagine if other major purchases – such as buying an existing homes – could come with such a guarantee for your peace of mind.

A Colorado Springs Real Estate firm has implemented just such a program. Brought to you exclusively by RE/MAX Advantage Realty, Certified Pre-Owned Homes truly separates homes that are really nice from the ones that are not so nice, says broker/owner Bruce Betts.

A Colorado Springs resident since 1973, Betts has been a full-time Colorado Springs Real Estate Broker since 1984. He has received the RE/MAX International Lifetime Achievement Award, membership in the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, and Chairman’s Club.

Betts combines his experience and expertise with his team at RE/MAX Advantage Realty to help buyers and sellers achieve their real estate goals. Their Certified Pre-Owned Homes program adds even more confidence to the home buying and selling experience.

A FULL INSPECTIONCertified Pre-Owned Homes are houses that

have been well-maintained. They range in price from under $200,000 to around $800,000. The

process for a house to become a Certified Pre-Owned Home begins by listing it with Betts and his team. The home then gets a full inspection – not just a surface inspection – with a full report. Any serious concerns that show up on the summary report must be taken care of up front.

Additionally, a certified heating contractor goes to the home, services the furnace and certifies it. And a licensed roofer checks and certifies the roof. Finally, the home is given a minimum of a 15-month warranty that cover appliances, the furnace and water heater, plumbing and more.

WHETHER YOU’RE BUYING OR SELLINGWhether you’re a buyer, buying agent or a

seller, a Certified Pre-Owned Home from

RE/MAX Advantage Realty offers a win-win situation by providing a smoother transaction for everyone involved. This program helps make the buying and selling of a home a lot less stressful for all parties. No one has to worry about contingencies that may stop the sale from going through.

Buyers and their buying agents don’t have to be concerned that the home has major problems. They may not even decide to forego a second inspection because they will have received all the pertinent information about the home beforehand and know any issues have been resolved.

Buyers are happy because they don’t have to think about problems with the home or worry about costly repairs popping up later. “When you sit down at closing and ask the buyers how they liked the program, everyone says, ‘I loved it,’”

Betts says. Sellers know there will be no big surprises

if and when potential buyers have the home inspected. The listing agent can market the home with confidence that it will outshine similar homes.

MEASURABLE SUCCESSCertified Pre-Owned Homes sold 36 days

faster than other homes last year – and sold for closer to their asking price, says Betts. While the industry average for homes in Colorado Springs last year was 96.9 percent of asking price at time of sale, Certified Pre-Owned Homes sold for 98.4 percent of their asking price at time of sale.

That being said, sellers who get aggressive on pricing are more likely to sell their home, Betts says. “Pricing is still absolutely critical,” he points out. “If the price is not right, the house will not sell.”

With all other things being equal, a Certified Pre-Owned Home is certainly more attractive to a buyer. When narrowing your search for a home to just a few houses, if one of those is a Certified Pre-Owned Home, “Wouldn’t it be one you’d want to look at?” Betts says.

To learn more about Certified Pre-Owned Homes and RE/MAX Advantage Realty, call 719-548-8600 or visit them online at www.certifiedpre-ownedhome.com. n

springshome style■com

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Sunday, September 20, 2009

For more inFormation719-548-8600

www.certifiedpre-ownedhome.com

www.certi�edpre - ownedhome.com

Certified Pre-Owned Home

SELLERS: Help Your Home Rise Above The Competition.AGENTS: Show These Homes With Confidence.BUYERS: Buy With Peace of Mind.

Rest Easy – It’s All Done!PProfessional Home Inspection: DonePNecessary Repairs: DonePFurnace Serviced and Certified: DonePRoof Certified: DonePHome Warranty: Included

These Homes Found Exclusively at

www.certifiedpre - ownedhome.com

Advantage719-548-8600

www.ColoradoAdvantage.com

www.certifiedpre - ownedhome.com

www.certifiedpre-ownedhome.com